New Phones and Coming Soon: iPhone X, Google Pixel 2, Galaxy Note 8

With Christmas coming up fast, the giants of the tech industry are bringing out the big guns. Apple has just released the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, while the stunning new iPhone X will be out before you know it. Google is readying the Pixel 2, while the Nokia 8, LG V30 and Motorola Moto X4 are either coming soon or have just been released. Then there's the recently released Galaxy Note 8, which already looks like a shoo-in for phone of the year. If you're in the market for a new phone in the run up to Christmas, check out my pick of the best phones that are out now or coming soon.

iPhone X...

The iPhone X is Apple's brand new flagship smartphone. Featuring a stunning new edge-to-edge design, iPhone X pre-orders go live at the end of October, before the launch of the phone at the start of November.

With no more borders, the iPhone X has a huge 5.8" screen that covers the front of the phone in its entirety. But despite boasting a bigger screen, the phone itself is no bigger than the iPhone 8 Plus, which only has a 5.5-inch display.

The bigger screen and improved picture quality makes the iPhone X the perfect entertainment device, while the high-tech A11 Bionic processor - which is 35% faster than anything Apple has made before - means that it can handle anything.

Other improvements include wireless charging, which should work at chains like Starbucks and McDonalds. It's also got an updated 12-megapixel camera, complete with new lighting effects that make it ideal for headshots.

You can also say goodbye to the fingerprint sensor - it hasn't got a Home button - and hello to facial recognition software that's supposedly much safer.

iPhone X pre-orders go live on October 27. The phone costs £999 on the Apple website, or you can pay £47.95 a month for two years.

iPhone 8...

If you don't fancy stumping up the cash for the iPhone X, then you might want to try the iPhone 8 instead. Aesthetically, the iPhone 8 is very similar to the iPhone 7, although the new model comes with a full glass casing, not to mention a host of new colours.

The iPhone 8 is also packing some nifty new features, including an ultra-powerful A11 Bionic Processor and sharper, clearer Retina HD display.

Improvements to the camera mean that you can expect better images, especially in low light. Then there's Apple's new Portrait Lighting feature, which lets you utilise different filters and lighting effects on faces.

And then there's Apple's wireless charging, which gives you 50% juice in just half an hour - and without having to plug anything in.

iPhone 8 prices start at £699 on the Apple website, or £33.56 a month for two years.

Google Pixel 2...

A follow up to one of 2016's surprise hits, the regular Google Pixel 2 features the same swish design and 5" display as last year's phone, while the Pixel 2 XL goes edge to edge for a 6" OLED screen that's actually no bigger than the regular model.

But it's the camera that's really turning heads. The highly-rated Pixel 2 camera is capable of delivering that same blurred depth of field effect as the iPhone 8 Plus, but with just one camera.

Other nifty features include an always-on display, water resistant design and squeezable sides that can be used for selfies and to speak to the Google Assistant.

The icing on the cake is the ability to power your phone for upwards of seven hours on just 15 minutes of charge.

You can pick up the Google Pixel 2 from the Google store for £629. The Google Pixel 2 XL is priced as £799.

Motorola Moto X4...

The Motorola Moto X4 is a premium smartphone with an affordable price tag. The device features a slick glass waterproof case that's both practical and pretty, not to mention the kind of dual-lens camera found on expensive alternatives.

What's really impressive is the front-facing 16-megapixel camera, which takes the best selfies ever. Likewise, it's also rocking a panoramic capture mode, which means you can take selfie group shots on a night out.

It's also got a turbo-charged battery that gives you hours of juice on a 15 minute charge.

Having previously released its retro-inspired 3310 revival, Nokia is getting serious with a new high-end smartphone that's rocking a swish 5.3" always-on display.

In addition to superb low light photographs, the Nokia 8 is the first phone to do a "Bothie", which takes advantage of the front and rear cameras at the same time. According to Nokia, this Dual-Sight photography mode lets you tell both sides of the story, as you snap your friends and share your reaction at the same time.

Another intriguing feature is the OZO Audio technology, which adds full 360 degree sound to any video. It also reduces ambient sound to ensure your videos are crystal clear.

Coming soon, the LG V30 might just have the snazziest display of any smartphone to date. Proving that bezels are most definitely out, the screen covers almost the entire phone, giving users a 6" QuadHD+ OLED FullVision Display to play around with.

Needless to say, if you watch a lot of Netflix and YouTube on your way to work, this could be the phone for you. Like many of its flagship rivals, it also sports an always-on display, which means key info is viewable without waking the phone up. That's on top of a floating bar that can be customised with your favourite apps for instant access.

You can also expect dual cameras on the rear of the phone, which take advantage of optical image stabilisation, auto focus, wide angle options and a high-tech glass lens that improves its dynamic range and low light capabilities.

The LG V30 is available to pre-order ahead of its November 1 release date. Carphone Warehouse is selling it for £799 sim-free, or from £52.99 a month.

Galaxy Note 8...

Samsung's plus-size flagship phone returns with a massive 6.3" display that's perfect for the multi-tasker. With a new feature called App Pair, you can load up two apps simultaneously. It's great if you want to send a few emails while checking out a few videos on YouTube, for example.

Of course, the Note 8's biggest draw is the S Pen, which is said to be more responsive than ever, and even works when wet. You can also create your own handwritten GIFS for social media and translate foreign text.

Amateur photographers out there will also get a kick out of the 12-megapixel dual cameras, which come with a live focus mode that lets you customise background blurring effects and even remove them altogether.

You can buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is available for £869 from the Samsung website.

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About Liam Martin

I love gadgets, gizmos and games and look forward to a future where humans and robots can co-exist peacefully. My most wanted list includes an Apple/Samsung smartphone hybrid, a flying Lamborghini and a virtual reality-based job where I don't have to leave the house.